CVE-2015-5802 in iTunes
Summary
by MITRE
WebKit, as used in Apple iOS before 9 and iTunes before 12.3, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (memory corruption and application crash) via a crafted web site, a different vulnerability than other WebKit CVEs listed in APPLE-SA-2015-09-16-1 and APPLE-SA-2015-09-16-3.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/21/2024
CVE-2015-5802 represents a critical memory corruption vulnerability within WebKit's JavaScript engine that affected Apple iOS versions prior to 9.0 and iTunes versions prior to 12.3. This vulnerability resides in the JavaScriptCore component of WebKit and demonstrates how seemingly benign web content can be weaponized to achieve remote code execution or denial of service conditions. The flaw specifically manifests when processing crafted web content that triggers improper memory handling during JavaScript object manipulation, creating conditions where attackers can overwrite memory locations and potentially execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected application. This vulnerability operates at the intersection of several cybersecurity domains including browser security, memory safety, and exploit development, making it particularly dangerous in the context of mobile and desktop operating systems where user interaction with web content is frequent and often unavoidable.
The technical exploitation of CVE-2015-5802 leverages memory corruption patterns that align with common software security weaknesses categorized under CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write operations. Attackers can craft malicious web pages that, when loaded in Safari or iTunes, trigger buffer overflow conditions within JavaScriptCore's memory management system. These conditions typically involve improper bounds checking during array operations or object property manipulation, allowing attackers to manipulate memory pointers and execute shellcode or cause application crashes. The vulnerability's classification as a remote code execution flaw means that no local user interaction is required beyond visiting a malicious website, making it particularly dangerous in phishing campaigns or compromised websites. The exploit chain often involves leveraging heap spraying techniques or return-oriented programming to achieve code execution in the context of the targeted application process.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-5802 extends beyond simple application crashes to potentially enable full system compromise, especially when combined with other vulnerabilities or when targeting privileged applications. Mobile devices running affected iOS versions become particularly vulnerable as users frequently browse the web and interact with untrusted content. The vulnerability affects not only the web browser but also iTunes, which means that users could be compromised simply by visiting malicious websites or downloading content through iTunes. This broad attack surface makes the vulnerability particularly concerning for enterprise environments where mobile device management policies may not adequately protect against such sophisticated attacks. The exploit's effectiveness is enhanced by the fact that it can be delivered through various vectors including email attachments, compromised websites, or even malicious advertisements, making traditional security measures like URL filtering less effective against such targeted attacks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-5802 primarily focus on immediate patching and system updates as recommended by Apple's security advisories. Organizations should prioritize updating iOS devices to version 9.0 or later and iTunes to version 12.3 or later to eliminate the vulnerability. Network-based mitigations can include implementing web content filtering solutions and deploying sandboxing technologies to limit the impact of successful exploitation attempts. Security teams should also implement monitoring for unusual network traffic patterns or application behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's characteristics make it susceptible to detection through behavioral analysis and memory integrity checking mechanisms. Additionally, users should be educated about the risks of visiting untrusted websites and downloading content from unknown sources. Implementation of security controls aligned with the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly those addressing T1059.007 for JavaScript execution and T1203 for exploitation of known vulnerabilities, can help organizations defend against similar threats. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify systems running outdated versions of affected software components.